CAMOSUN COLLEGE CHARGERS (10-6)
New Head Coach Scott Cuachon and the Chargers return two of last season’s ‘Big Three’ as James Blandford left for Olds College. Return second team All-Star Jordan Elvedahl and All-Rookie Team Trevor Scheurmann. Recruits Mitch Knippelberg played for the BC Provincial Team, while Curtis Wilson was an Island All-Star with Mt. Douglas Sec.

COACH CUACHON says…
“We’ve got a very strong leadership group and have brought in a talented group of recruits who are eager, willing to work hard and have been very well coached in their respective high school teams. Our athletes have worked hard on and off the floor in the off-season and are excited to compete. We are proud of the amount of work we have put in so far and we believe that the key to our success is in our ability to work together in any situation. The PACWEST this year will be highly competitive, it’s one of those seasons where anything can happen.”

CAPILANO UNIVERSITY BLUES (9-7)

The Blues are led by new head coach and Blues alum Dwayne Selby. They will rely on returnees Wesley Dekleer and John Leong for leadership. New recruits include Sam Zhang, a 2nd year transfer.

COACH SELBY says…
“We have arguably the youngest team in the league, coaches included. Although we have placed high expectations on ourselves, we all still understand that we are at the beginning of a long process. Our goals right now are to get all of our guys acclimated to the system and each other. From there we are solely focused on being better each time we take the court. Our players still need to learn what it takes to compete in this conference and play at this level. I am personally excited about the chance to develop young talent, and even more excited about the challenge of coaching in a conference like the PACWEST, and at the collegiate level.”

COLUMBIA BIBLE COLLEGE BEARCATS (1-15)

Head Coach Dave Martens enters his second year. The Bearcats will be led by second-year forward Kevin Ford who finished in the top five in scoring (19.94 ppg), rebounding (8.94 rpg), and assists (5.0 apg). With a number of incoming rookies, watch for Columbia to improve on last season’s 1-15 record.

COACH MARTENS says…
“This years Bearcats basketball team has taken a significant step to improve competitively. With a core of returning players and solid recruiting class, this team has its eyes set on a playoff spot for 2013. A deep bench of strong and talented players will contribute to an assertive and athletic style of play, making this team one to watch in the upcoming PACWEST season.”

DOUGLAS COLLEGE ROYALS (7-9)

The Royals will have big holes to fill as their two leading scorers are both departed; Ravi Athwal and Harmeet Mahal offered a combined 38 ppg average. Devan Haynes finished third in rebounding last season with 8.07 rpg. Several high school recruits will make this a significantly different roster than last season.

COACH BEAUSOLEIL says…
“With only 3 returning athletes from last year’s campaign, the Douglas College men’s basketball team has added 8 local high school athletes and 2 transfers from within the PACWEST. The athletes and coaching staff are excited for the upcoming season and are eager to navigate their way through the PACWEST schedule.”

KWANTLEN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY EAGLES (6-10)

Coach Stefon Wilson returns for his second season at the helm of the Eagles. Fourth year centre Ali Bosir will be looked upon for leadership and to continue his rebounding – he finished eighth in the PACWEST last year. The Eagles did not have a player in the top 10 in scoring or assists last year. Incoming players include Aleksander Mihajilovic and Spencer Maichin of Delview Secondary.

COACH WILSON says…
“The new recruits will give us the depth that we lacked last season. The way the PACWEST schedule is set up with back to back games, it is tough to be successful going only seven players deep. We are looking to be a more up-tempo team this season. We feel the more possession we can create, the more opportunities we will have to score.”

LANGARA COLLEGE FALCONS (10-6)

Paul Eberhardt returns to the PACWEST for his 11th year, but it’s his first as Head Coach at Langara. Elliott Mason, a PACWEST All-Rookie last year is back, joined by Brody Greig who led the PACWEST in assists last year. Jitinder Lohcham was in the top ten in both scoring (15.1 ppg) and rebounding (6.9 rpg) last season, and will pick up the slack left by the departed Gurjote Jhaj. Rookie Jesse Jeffers is a former BC Under 17 Provincial Team player.

“I am very excited to be coaching this team. I believe we have a great opportunity to bring a championship to the school as we have a deep pool of talent and I am also very pleased with our team chemistry. We will play a very up-tempo run and gun style of basketball for the full forty minutes. In order for us to be successful we will have to play with maximum energy every night.”

QUEST UNIVERSITY KERMODES (1-15)

The Kermodes return some key pieces from last year’s team, including leading scorer Jose Colorado. Jesse Norris was a redshirt forward last season. Incoming recruits Denzel Laguerta and Mike Zayas were both Provincial All-Stars at the high school level and bring depth to the squad. Zayas was a AAA basketball provincial champion in 2011 with RC Palmer.

COACH SHOOK says…
“With the core of last years team returning and a quality recruiting class we expect to improve on our record.”

VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY MARINERS (15-1)

Matt Kuzminski is in his first year as Head Coach. The Mariners have key players returning, but lose Richard Townsend-Gant, the PACWEST’s leading rebounder last season. Brandon Jones and Clayton Billet will be an experienced back-court. Adam Connolly brings CIS experience to the Mariners.

“We have a nice mix of veteran and young players. We will play an up-tempo style of basketball and we will get contributions from many different players on given nights. New recruits Jon Bethell and Adam Connolly will be nice additions to the team. Jon is a very smart point guard who knows how to run a team and will be looked to do that even as a freshman. Connolly brings CIS experience and a lot of versatility. He is very agile for 6’10 and defence especially in a team sense is his strength. I think we will be a very competitive team that will have a chance to be successful against any opponent.”

The PACWEST men’s and women’s basketball seasons are set to open Nov. 2.

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Head of the Class 2014

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